124 THE ENGLISH PHYSICIAN ENLARGED. 



• Vescripl.'] The first leaves of our ordinary Sen ITolIy, 

 are nothing so hard and prickly as Mhcn they grow old, 

 being almost round, and deeply dented about the edges, 

 hard and sharp-pointed, and a little crumpled, of a bluish 

 green colour, every one upon a long foot-stalk ; but 

 these that grow up higher with the stalk, do as it were 

 compass it about. The stalk itself is round and strong, 

 yet somewhat crested with joints, and leaves set thereat, 

 but more divided, sharp, and pricklj^, and branches rising 

 from thence, which have likewise other small branches, 

 each of them having several bluish and prickly heads, 

 with many small, jagged, prickly leaves under them, 

 standing like a star, and sometimes found greenish or 

 ■whitish ; the root groweth wonderfully long, even to 

 eight or ten feet in length, set with rings and circles to- 

 wards the upper part, cut smsoth and without joints 

 down lower, brownish on the outside, and very white 

 within, with a pith in the middle, of a pleasant taste, but 

 much more, being artificially preserved, and candied with 

 sugar. 



Place.] It is found about the sea coast in almost every 

 county of this land, which bordereth on the sea. 



Time.'] It flowcreth in the end of Summer, and giveth 

 ripe seed within a month after. 



Government and rtrtues.'] The plant is venereal, and 

 breedeth seed exceedingly, and strengthens the spirit 

 procreative; it is hot and moist, and under the celestial 

 balance. The deco<5lion of the root hereof in wine, is 

 very effe<5laal to open obstrudtions of the spleen and li- 

 ver, and helpeth yellow jaundice, dropsy, pains of 

 the loins, and wind colic, provoketh urine, and expel- 

 leth the stone, procureth women's courses. The con- 

 tinued use of the deception for fifteen days, taken fasting, 

 and next to bedward, doth help the stranguary, the pis- 

 sing by drops, the stopping of urine, stone, and all de- 

 feats of the reins and kidnies ; and if the said drink be 

 continued longer, it is found good against the French 

 pox. The roots bruised and applied outwardly, helpeth 

 the kernels of the throat, commonly called the King's 

 evil ; or taken inwardly, and applied to the place stung 

 or bitten by any serpent, healeth it speedily. If the roots 

 i)C bruised and boiled in hog's greaie, or salted iard^ 



